AYUCR
Rocketry Electronics

AYUCR Camera Controller

June 24, 2007

AYUCR II Flies Again!

July 7, 2007

Mirror Flight! This time the Canon SD300 boosted with an Aerotech I161 with a mirror. The mirror retracts at apogee and the descent is fully captured. The pink booster chute is visible at times and the howling violence of flight is stunning. Check it out via YooTube...

June 24, 2007

I flew the AYUCR II rocket on Saturday at NERFF 3. This time I used a Canon SD300 camera and
tripped the shutter using a servo. I got excellent pictures and this video. If you look closely
you will see another rocket at the very beginning of the video that was launched at the same
time. Also the pink parachute on the booster is visible at times. Despite the seemingly hard
landing the payload and camera suffered no damage. Look for an article
on using a servo for camera rockets soon.

June 14, 2007

I wrote a new article on using the AYUCR Camera Controller in a non-pyro eject rocket based on Tom Beach's Eject-O-Match.

June 2, 2007

The "Big Bertha NP" with non-pyro eject controlled via the AYUCR Camera Controller flew successfully at the June METRA Luanch. An article on it as well as on a servo-based digital camera rocket is in the works.

May 3, 2007

I've started writing the articles on the BLoad Development Platform
and BLoad Interface Adapter. This is the basis for developing the
electronics here. These free and open tools are designed to allow others to develop and
extend the designs here. It's not specific to rocketry either but it is important groundwork
for being able to develop your own stuff.

April 27, 2007

There is some new content on the site. There are new articles about the bootloader and
directions for reflashing a PIC 16F819 using an external programmer. I am working on an
article on the AYUCR Bootloader Development Platform which will describe how to rapidly
develop and test firmware changes on the bench. There is a new downloads section that
will eventually collect all of the downloadable content in one place. There is an update
to the Palm interface software to support electronics running at both 2400 and 9600 baud.

April 13, 2007

I've reworked the website to be easier to maintain so I can add more content.
in the coming months. One thing to look forward to is a rework of the 2.0 ACC
firmware. The latest firmware has some kinks that need to be fixed and I am going
to take this opportunity to move to a new bootloader platform. There are some pros
and cons associated with this:

Pros:

Faster communications; 9600 baud vs. 2400 baud

Enhance write capabilities including page zero and data EEPROM

Few limitations placed on the user portion of the firmware for easier development

Support for External reset for faster firmware development

Better flashing and flight parameter programming software

Cons:

Requires externally reflashing firware (one time only)

What does all of this mean? I am trying to improve the platform to make it easier
and faster for everyone to develop their own firmware or enhance the existing design
following an open-source model. The hope is the rocketry community can end up with
a set of designs and a platform for do-it-yourself electronics. This isn't limited
to camera timers but will eventually cover deployment timers, stagers, altimeters and
full-blown flight computers.

To get there the existing design needs to evolve and the most recent changes realize
that. The old firmware communicated at 2400 baud. This is fine for sending small,
16 byte packets back and forth to set flight parameters but it too slow for flashing
firmware. Switching to 9600 baud speeds things up 4 times. This speedup doesn't come
without sacrificing compatibility with old tools but I feel it is necessary. There
will be an upgrade path and the old tools will be upgraded or replaced so my hope is
this won't be painful as it might sound.

Other enhancements include changes to the bootloader itself. This is a portion
of the firmware that allows the firmware to be reflashed by the user. The existing
bootloader has some limitations that, while acceptable for the time being, stand in
the way of future progress. For example the first page of the firmware can't be
overwritten. This puts limitations on how and to what extent firmware can be changed
from version to version. The new firmware removes these limitations. It also adds
the ability to write to the data EEPROM (256 bytes of non-volatile data storage) This
means just about any new firmware can be reflashed over any existing firmware provided
the bootloader portions are identical. Therein lies the rub. The new firmware cannot
be reflashed over the old. It must be reflashed externally. In order to do that requires
and external PIC programmer. Luckily these are cheap and easy to use (provided you
have a real RS232 serial port) but I will also be offering an upgrade service. More on
that later.

Lastly there is a new external reset option for the bootloader. This is designed
to developers during bench testing. It allows the processor to be reset externally
using a modified serial cable and a reflash initiated. This means you can reset,
reflash and retest firmware changes entirely under the control of your PC. This is
much like development using a Basic Stamp and makes
developing and testing changes faster by an order or two of magnitude. Again, more
on all of that later.

May 25, 2006

I've updated the Palm configuration
software. It now works better with the V2 camera controller.

May 23, 2006

The original AYUCR camera controller has
undergone a major revision and is now available. The new
controller has many new features while being even easier to build
than the original. Highlights include:

Fewer parts for easier assembly

Slightly smaller than the original

Pushbutton arming switch allows for much easier field programming

Firmware may be flash upgraded using the serial port

Full remote control via the serial port for integration with other avionics

Keepalive mode to prevent cameras from powering down

Since this is a complete overhaul of the
original design no upgrade is available. The original will
continue to be supported and V2 is still the same, low $30 price
as the original version.

October 15, 2004

Two bugs fixed. One was in the Firmware
Updater. It seems that only the Release version was acting
strangely. It would always say index out of range when trying to
write the firmware. This wasn't happening in the debuggable
version so it was a little hard to find. V1.2 fixes this and I
have tested the release version, not just the debuggable version
to test this. Please use this version. Also V2.02 of the firmware
is now available. This fixes an intermitent problem when the
controllers flight parameters wouldn't get read properly on
powerup.

October 10, 2004

I found that the Windows Timer
programming software has problems with firmware revisions that
contain a letter, such as 2.0d. So I have updated the firware
revision for the Pencam Controller firmware to 2.01. I have also
released version 1.1 of the firmware updater. Please use version
1.1 to reflash your firmware.

July 13, 2004

The new AYUCR Firmware Updater software
is now available. This allows you to update the firmware on your
Pencam Controller to support new pencam models using the serial
port on the controller. More information on the software and the
firmware updates are available on the
Revisions Page
Sorce code for the AYUCR Firmware Updater is available on the
Source Page

July 6, 2004

Version 2.0d of the Pencam Controller
firmware is available for download. I am working on a firmware
upgrade driver for Windows and it should be ready soon. I will
make it available with full source code for those who like to
tinker. There Perl/Linux version is available now but I realize
that few people have access to a Linux Box. If someone would like
to port this to the Mac I would be glad to help them get started.

I am offering a free chip swap for the
Pencam Controller to the new 2.0d firmware. If you send me your
old processor (the 18 pin chip) I will reflash it to the latest
firmware and return it to you. All you pay is the shipping to me
(less than a dollar) After that you can download the firmware
updates from this site and using one of the driver programs
(Windows coming soon) you can update the firmware on your
controller on your own. When shipping the chip to me please use a
padded envelop and take precautions to protect the chip in
transit. You can use the small tube the chip is packaged in for
the kits or stick it into a piece of Styrofoam and tape securely.
If you are interested in a chip swap please email me

The price of the kits has been lowered
to $30! This reflects lower part costs from buying in bulk and
other efficiencies.

An major upgrade to the Camera
Controller is in the works. V2.0 will have the following features:

Bootloader to allow for
user-applied firmware upgrades

Simple pushbutton interface for
field programming without a computer

Easier assembly and lower part count

spare output channel for future upgrades.

Open source for user customizations.

This should be ready in early August

May 24, 2004

V2.0b of the pencam firmware will be
available soon. Version 2.0b now includes a bootloader which
allows the firmware to be reflashed via the existing serial port.
This means you will be able to download future firmware updates
from the website and update your controller to the latest
firmware. No hardware modifications to the controller are
necessary although you do need to start with V2.0 or later in
order to make this work. I will soon be offering a free chip swap
program whereby you send me your old chip and I will send you a
new one programmed with the latest firmware (you only will pay
shipping to me.) Stay tuned...

In the meantime you can download the source code for V2.0b on the
Source page as
well as check out the information on the bootloader protocol that
has been added to the Pencam User Manual

October 20, 2003

July 15, 2003

The V1.20 firmware for the Pencam
Controller is complete. This uses a newer arming method to work
with a wider range of Pancam units. You may purchase upgraded
firmware for your existing controller for a reduced price of
$5.00.

July 13, 2003

Due to the recent article in Sport Rocketry
there has been high demand for the Pencam
Controller. This increased warrants an update to the kit be made.
I am currently working on the update which will include:

Professionally produced circuit
board with silk screen and solder mask. This will make
the controller look nicer, protect it a little better and
make it somewhat easier to assemble

Improved board layout. The power
jumper has been moved to make it easier to grasp.

lower part count for easier
assembly.

Improved firmware to work with a
wider range of Pencam models. (compatable with older
kits)

LOWER PRICE. Due
to discounts for producing more kits I am lowering the
price to $35.

The new kits should be ready by August
1. You can still order the older kits while I have them in stock
and you will qualify for a free firmware upgrade when released.
Owners of the original controller will be able to update their
firmware by ordering a new CPU for a new upgrade price of $5.
Recent purchasers of kits will receive an upgrade at no cost. (I
even pay the shipping)

The really big news, however, is I
intend to open source this design. Once the new kits are ready I
will begin making available all source code, schematics and
layouts for the controller. Why? I feel this is a better way to
support the kit and design. Others will be able to make their own
modifications and improvements as long as they agree to
contribute their work back to the community. Schools and clubs
would be able to order and make their own kits and realize a
savings over the normal kit price. Hobbyists will be able to use
the design as a basis for their own projects or just to learn
something about rocketry electronics. Will I still sell kits?
Yes. It may not be feasible for everyone to source and build
their own controllers from scratch. Some parts are expensive in
small quantities. Circuit boards, for example, cost $62 for a
minumum quantity of 9. Will I lose money? No. I will still make a
small profit on the kits I sell. The benefit to the user is a
pooling of talent and ideas from all users having access to the
design. I hope this advances the design and will improve support
for the controller over what I can currently provide. Stay
tuned...

June 15, 2002

A new version of the Windows interface
for programming the controllers is available. It fixes problems
storing flight parameters to the Pencam Controller. There is also
a version available for the Pocket PC! See the Software section
for downloads. Many thanks go out to Fred Taverni for
contributing this software.

April 29, 2002

Bill Spadafora points out that it is
possible for the 12V batteries to short out against the battery
clips. Since the sides of the clips are "live" if the
paint on the battery case is scratched the battery will short out
through its own case. It is suggested to wrap the batteries with
tape to prevent this. Thanks Bill.

April 27, 2002

I fixed some errors in the Pencam
assembly instructions (Thanks Bob!) Nothing major just typos.

April 25, 2002

There is now a FAQ section for the
Pencam controller. If you have any other questions please let me
know.

April 24, 2002

I have added two sample videos taken
using an Aiptek Pencam and the new AYUCR Pencam controller.

April 22, 2002

There may be a manufacturing error with
some of the early Pencam interface cables. I may have wired some
of them backwards. With the connector facing upwards and the two
orientation ribs facing you the wire colors from left to right
should be yellow, green, red, black. If you have an incorrect
cable please contact me.

April 20, 2002

The AYUCR Pencam Controller is finally
shipping. Thank you for your patience. I ran into a couple of
snags in the home stretch but I am happy to report that the
controller is flight tested and kits are available. This
controller is upgradable and I am looking into adapting it to
other digital cameras such as the Intel Play camcorder. Anything
that can be controlled with two buttons ought to be doable. If
there is a camera that you are interested in seeing supported
please contact me.

April 14, 2002

I will soon be accepting orders for the
new AYUCR Pencam Controller. This controller interfaces with the Aiptek Pencam series or digital cameras and allows them to be
used for rocket photography. Both single shot and contiuous
(movie) modes are supported. I expect the kits will cost around
$40. Check back soon for more information on ordering.

March 14, 2002

I added a new article on modifying a Pencam for
external control. This is in
preparation for the AYUCR Pencam Controller which should be
available by the end of March 2002. If you are interested please
let me know as it will help me with ordering parts.

February 15, 2002

Winter project time! An upgrade to the
AYUCR Camera Controller will be available soon that adds servo
control capability. Instead of wiring the shutter relay directly
to a camera a servo can be used to press the shutter button on
just about ANY camera. This opens up a number of possibilities:

Using cheap or disposable cameras with mechanical shutters

Expensive digital or 35mm cameras where modification is undesirable

Eloctro-mechanical (vs. electo-pyrotechnic) deployment.

This upgrade is available as a chip
upgrade to existing kits. Just pull out the old processor and pop
in a new one. No hardware modification is necessary. The upgrade
chips are $10.

I am looking for beta testers for the
new firmware. You should already have a completed controller kit
and be willing to provide me with real feedback. You will pay for
the beta firmware upgrade but I will provide you with a free
upgrade to the finalized firmware. I need 2 or 3 diehard testers
so please do not apply unless you have the time to really test
the design. If you are interested please let me know.

September 8, 2001

The backup capacitor is now included in
all kits.

September 1, 2001

The online ordering system usingeMartCart and PayPalis
working very well so far. I understand that some people prefer a
more traditional means of ordering. I have added instructions for
ordering by mail to the ordering page. Sorry for any
inconvenience.

August 27, 2001

The AYUCR Camera Controller kits are now
shipping and available to order online. See the ordering page for
more details.

August 22, 2001

In preparation for releasing the new
kits I am ceasing production of the two old kits. Both the 8 pin
and 18 pin kits are no longer available. I am also ending the
free upgrades for the older designs (except in the case of the
bug in the 8 pin chips) No one took me up on the offer anyway. In
the future upgrades will be handled via a nominal upgrade price
basically to cover the cost of the replacement chip. You can keep
the old kit, give it to a friend, build a new timer around it
etc. Prices for upgrade chips haven't been set yet but should be
around $10. The new timer kits are $35 and while this is more
expensive than the old kits the new kits are complete and much nicer.

I expect to be able to ship kits by the
end of August. Over the next several days you will notice changes
to the information available on these pages as I transition to
the new kits. Things may be a little flakey for a while but I
want to get the information up quickly so people can look it
over. I am always looking for feedback so please drop me a line
if you have any questions or comments.

August 2, 2001

The new AYUCR Camera
Controller kits are coming along nicely. A picture of the
prototype appears on the introduction page. They will, for the
first time, be complete kits and will cost $35. I realize this is
almost twice what the old kits cost but the new kits include a
double sided printed circuit bord, battery holder with option for
external power, military style hermetically sealed G-switch and
voltage regulator so the unit can be powered with 6V-12V. I
expect the new kits to be available by the end of August.